England Women head coach Simon Middleton has named his team to play France in the Women’s Six Nations final.
The match takes place at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday 24 April, kick-off 2pm live on BBC Two.
Emily Scarratt captains the side with regular skipper Sarah Hunter among the finishers.
Abbie Ward (lock) and Marlie Packer (openside flanker) return to the starting XV while Zoe Harrison makes her first start of the 2021 tournament at inside centre.
Fresh from scoring two tries in as many matches, Helena Rowland retains her place at fly half with Leanne Riley at scrum half.
Zoe Aldcroft and Poppy Cleall are named at six and eight respectively – the same starting positions they occupied in the team’s opening pool victory over Scotland.
Cath O’Donnell makes her third consecutive appearance in the second row.
Sarah McKenna starts at full back with Abby Dow and Jess Breach making up the back three.
Vickii Cornborough, Lark Davies and Shaunagh Brown form the front row.
Loughborough Lightning prop Detysha Harper is named among the finishers, alongside Lagi Tuima.
Middleton said: “We’ve had a fantastic three-and-a-half weeks training and a fully fit squad training all week which has been great.
“I’m really pleased with our development, fitness levels and robustness we are starting to develop.
“We have strength across the team and it was a tough selection.
“It was great to have Sarah Hunter back against Italy. She’s not quite at the level she would want to be and we need for this game at the moment which is to be expected and anticipated after 13 months out. Sarah respects there are a lot of players in the back row and back five in great form at this point and that in games like this you need to be able to go for 80 minutes as a starter. She’s not quite there yet but it’s a challenge she’s more than up for.
“We’ve brought Marlie back in this week. Physicality at the breakdown will be imperative against France and amongst other things that’s what Marlie gives you. Marlie’s one of the best in the world in that area.
“Zoe and Helena together give us options we know will be important against France.
“Now we’ve got to go out and deliver a good performance in both halves of the game.
“That’s what it will take. France are a confident side and previous results are irrelevant.
“France play on confidence with a dangerous high tempo game with the ball in play so we’ve got to be on the metal and switched on. Of course, the best way of defending is to have the ball so our ability to retain possession in the right areas of the field will be imperative
“Our discipline will be essential, especially with the pace they have with their tap-and-gos.
“It will be a great final and we’re all really excited.
“We’ve seen a different format in the Six Nations which brings excitement as everything and everyone works towards that one big game and Saturday is that game.
“This is a big test to translate what we’re doing on the training field and one we will relish as a group.”
England team to play France
15. Sarah McKenna (Saracens Women, 34 caps)
14. Jess Breach (Harlequins Women, 17 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (C; Loughborough Lightning, 94 caps)
12. Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women, 28 caps)
11. Abby Dow (Wasps FC Ladies, 16 caps)
10. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 5 caps)
9. Leanne Riley (Harlequins Women, 41 caps)
1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Women, 58 caps)
2. Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 30 caps)
3. Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Women, 22 caps)
4. Abbie Ward (Harlequins Women, 46 caps)
5. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 17 caps)
6. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury Women, 22 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens Women, 75 caps)
8. Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women, 45 caps)
Finishers
16. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins Women, 55 caps)
17. Detysha Harper (Loughborough Lightning, 4 caps)
18. Bryony Cleall (Saracens Women, 3 caps)
19. Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps FC Ladies, 60 caps)
20. Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning, 124 caps)
21. Claudia MacDonald (Wasps FC Ladies, 14 caps)
22. Lagi Tuima (Harlequins Women, 7 caps)
23. Ellie Kildunne (Wasps FC Ladies, 13 caps)
NPR: Maud Muir
Courtesy of the RFU
